Record employment levels in companies supported by Enterprise Ireland, IDA and Údarás na Gaeltachta

The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD, has today published two surveys on the Irish economy, which reflect the continued resilience of industry in Ireland in the face of the challenges posed by global economic and political headwinds.

The Annual Employment Survey 2025 finds that jobs in client companies of Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and Údarás na Gaeltachta, are now at their highest ever level, at over 554,608 jobs. Employment in agency client firms now represents 20% of total employment in Ireland.

The Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact 2024 shows strong growth in sales, exports, value added and direct expenditures in the Irish economy for both Irish and foreign-owned companies in 2024. 

Minister Burke said:

“These results demonstrate the continued resilience of our export oriented firms in Ireland, in spite of the turbulence in the trading environment. Both Irish and foreign owned agency supported firms grew employment in 2025 and their increased payroll expenditure has delivered an increase in real wages amongst employees. Total sales and exports by these firms continued to grow strongly, and altogether they purchased goods and services worth over €84 billion in the local economy in 2024.Government continues to strengthen Ireland’s value proposition, including significant investment in infrastructure and changes to our R&D code, to support Irish and foreign owned companies to grow, innovate and compete strongly in global markets.”

Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smythadded:

“Today’s results are a clear indication of the success of our agencies and highlight the importance of the work they do. I am particularly pleased to see that all regions grew employment over the ten-year period. Going forward, I will continue to work with colleagues in our agencies and across Government to ensure this momentum is maintained, and that all businesses in Ireland are able to reap the rewards of AI and digitisation.”

Minister of State for Small Businesses, Retail and Employment at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Alan Dillonsaid:

"The latest employment results underline the progress being delivered across Ireland’s enterprise base. They show that targeted supports for small businesses and local employers are translating into real gains for people and communities. Sustaining this momentum will remain a key priority as we work to expand opportunities and economic activity in every region."

Annual Employment Survey 2025 key findings:

• Employment in FDI firms increased by 1.4% since 2024, with 4,589 additional total jobs. 
• In Irish-owned firms, employment increased by 1.3%, an increase of 3,047 total jobs since 2024.
• By sector, among foreign-owned companies, the largest increases were in Chemicals, Financial Services, and Medical Devices. The largest decreases were in Business Services, Other IT and Computer Services, Transport Equipment, and Computer, Electronic and Optical Products.
• In Irish owned firms the largest increases were in Business Services, Construction, Other Services, and Wood and Wood Products sectors. The largest decreases were in Computer Programming sector jobs, Food, Drink and Tobacco, and Textiles, Clothing, Footwear and Leather, and Energy.
• Growth in employment between 2016-2025 was strongest in the Dublin region with an increase of 56.2% (+78,981 jobs), followed by the West (up 47.0%, +17,589 jobs). All regions grew employment over the ten-year period.

Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact (2024) key findings:

• Total sales amounted to €567.4 billion in 2024 which represents an increase of 10.5% in current prices on the previous year’s figure of €513.6 billion.
• Total exports in 2024 amounted to €513.6 billion, an increase of 11.2% on the previous year of €461.9 billion, with 92.5% of these exports being from foreign-owned enterprises.  
• Value added (sales less materials and services costs) has also increased over this time-series and in 2024 amounted to €226.8 billion, up 8.8% on the previous year with 53.0% of this increase attributable to the foreign owned IT services sector. 
• Payroll increased by 5.8% in 2024 delivering an increase in real wages. Average payroll per person employed is €65k in Irish owned firms and €98k in foreign owned firms.
• Direct Expenditure in the Irish Economy (Payroll, Irish Materials, Irish Services) has increased over 2023 by 5.8% to €83.8 billion in 2025. The level of direct expenditure in the Irish economy by foreign-owned client companies was €43.3 billion and €40.5 billion for Irish-owned client companies. 

The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment co-ordinates these surveys of the client companies of the enterprise development agencies (Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta). The results are presented by company ownership in terms of Irish and foreign-owned firms.

The indicators collected include annual sales and exports and payroll, materials and services costs. Data collected in 2024 and 2025 is merged with results of previous surveys to provide trend data and indicators are available by ownership and sector and are used by the agencies in their annual reports and end-of-year statements.

Agencies have commenced surveys of client companies for the 2025 Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact with all results expected early 2027.

Notes for editors

Annual Employment Survey 2025 - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie)

Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact 2024 - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie)

ENDS